Live updates - Trains running through East Croydon heavily disrupted due to 'trespasser on tracks'

A reported trespasser on the train line near to East Croydon station is causing delays to rail services during the morning rush hour.

National Rail has warned trains may be cancelled, delayed by up to 20 minutes or revised because of the incident, which first started at around 6.20am on Wednesday (August 8).

Disruption to services is expected until at least 9am.

A reduced Gatwick Express service is currently in operation, while Southern, Thameslink and Gatwick Express services running through East Croydon will also proceed at a reduced speed on arrival and departure through the station.

'Majority of services returning to normal'

The firm said: “The majority of services are returning to normal however some isolated services are delayed by up to 15 minutes and may incur some short notice alterations.

“This has also affected the Thameslink services on the Great Northern route, as services between Brighton and Cambridge and between Horsham and Peterborough had to travel through the affected area.

“Congestion and further delays through this area have occurred as a result of an earlier signal fault at Finsbury Park, and alterations to these services can be expected.”

13:22

Train delays easing

There is light at the end of the tunnel.

It seems train delays are easing, with services now only being delayed bu up to 20 minutes.

#EastCroydon - All lines through East Croydon have now reopened, following a trespass incident near the station. However, whilst services recover, trains may still be cancelled or delayed by up to 20 minutes.

Trains may be delayed by 30 minutes

The latest from National rail here.

Trains may still be cancelled or delayed by up to 30 minutes.

#EastCroydon - All lines through East Croydon have now reopened, following a trespass incident near the station. However, whilst services recover, trains may still be cancelled or delayed by up to 30 minutes.

Commuter delayed 45 minutes on way to work

Julian Ellacott, who is a councillor for Redhill West, was on the 6.39am Redhill to London Bridge service earlier this morning and was affected by the delays.

He told the Advertiser he normally works in Reigate but has been working in London full time for the past month.

“We stopped at Coulsdon South on time but we’re then stopped there for about 20 minutes,” he explained. “The driver said he suspected trespassers on the line towards East Croydon but hadn’t been told that for certain.

“We then stop/started and crawled to East Croydon. From there it was normal, so I got in to London Bridge about 45 mins late in the end. Later than I like to get into work in the city, but not really a problem in the end.”

Asked if he was frustrated with the service offered today and generally, Cllr Ellacott said he was but added at times it’s been “very good”.

He said: “Yes [it is frustrating] - very, when it happens! Although I have to say it’s been pretty reliable for the past month - this has been the first major delay.

“Based on my short time as a regular commuter, the service has been very good. What they do need to sort out is the unfairness of nearby towns having cheaper season ticket fares than Redhill.”

11:41

'We’re very sorry for the disruption to your journeys today'

Network Rail south east has also apoligised to commuters.

Once we’d got trains back running through East Croydon, a points failure at London Bridge caused further delays to @TLRailUK services both north and south of London. We’re very sorry for the disruption to your journeys today - please use #SNUpdates#TLUpdates for the latest 2/2 https://t.co/lxW074xwWY

Trains between East Croydon and London Blackfrairs diverted

National Rail have provided more information on the fault at London Bridge which is causing delays to trains running through Croydon.

A statement on their website says: “There is also a fault with a set of points at London Bridge, which means that less Thameslink services are able to run through this station.

“The majority of services that run between East Croydon and London Blackfrairs will be diverted to travel via an alternative route and will not stop at London Bridge. Our services that run to and from Rainham Kent are not affected by this issue.”

10:16

Man 'threatening to jump off bridge at East Croydon' taken to place of safety

A man who was reportedly threatening to jump off a bridge at East Croydon station has been moved to a place of safety, police said.

British Transport Police (BTP) were called to the line near the station at 5.50am on Wednesday (August 8) following concerns over the welfare of a man “in a precarious position”.

Officers and paramedics from the London Ambulance Service (LAS) rushed to the scene, and it was reported on social media that the man was threatening to jump off a bridge.

It is believed officers and paramedics spoke to the man, before later moving him to an area of safety an hour later.

Trains 220 miles away also being delayed

It seems disruption is even affecting trains in Hull and Bradford, according to one commuter.

There are 220 miles separating Croydon and Hull...

I am mystified how a trespasser at East Croydon at 7.15am manages to delay a train from Hull and Bradford, which is why we are trundling along at 20mph at Ally Pally. It couldn’t be that GN are looking for a daily reason to write off their service, could it?

Why are there delays?

National Rail has explained why trains are being so heavily delayed today.

A statement on their website says: “At peak times, services are on a very tight schedule to maintain their pathways. Any incidents that occur, even something minor, can affect both the route where there problem occurred as well as any routes that connect to it.

“This in turn can mean that train carriages, drivers and other crew members are not in the right place at the right time to run their next services, further continuing a knock on delay for hours after.”

09:09

Have you been heavily delayed?

Have you been affected by the disruption this morning? Get in touch with our reporter below.

Have you been affected by the train disruption at East Croydon this morning? Has your journey been badly delayed? Get in touch by emailing samuel.truelove@reachplc.com or just tweet me. #EastCroydon#TrainDelay

Disruption for another FIVE HOURS

Terrible news for commuters.

National Rail has now said there will be delays on the train network until 2pm later today.

#EastCroydon - Major disruption through East Croydon expected until 14:00. Trains may still be cancelled or delayed by up to 60 minutes. In addition, a severely reduced Gatwick Express service will remain in operation. https://t.co/rhEjIZPWqu

What train journeys are affected?

National rail has issued another update on how some train journeys are being affected because of the earlier incident.

Services between London Bridge and Uckfield will be terminating and starting at Crowborough.

A reduced service will be running between London and Brighton.

A severely reduced Gatwick Express service is in operation.

Other services will experience delays, short notice alterations and cancellations.

This will also affect some Thameslink services on the Great Northern route, as services between Brighton and Cambridge and between Horsham and Peterborough have to travel through the affected area.

(Image: Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

08:12

'Trains and crew not in correct places'

National Rail has given more detail on the earlier trespass incident.

They said in a statement: “Earlier today, there was a trespass incident at East Croydon. Whilst this was ongoing, services in the surrounding area were at a stand, and the power to the lines switched off to enable Network Rail response staff and the British Transport Police to attend.

“The individual has been escorted away from the railway to safety and is in the care of the emergency services. Services are able to run again, however as services were at a stand, a queue has quickly built.

“Train carriages and crew will not be in the correct places for their next journeys, and it will take some time for services to return to normal.”

07:55

Lines reopen but delays continue

All lines have now reopened but trains may still be cancelled or delayed by up to 45 minutes.

Disruption is still expected until 11am.

National Rail said in a statement: “All lines have reopened, however as trains were at a stand for approximately 20 minutes. a queue of trains has built and some services will need to be altered and cancelled to prevent further congestion and delays. This means there will be a reduced service running between London and Brighton.

“Services will experience delays and short notice alterations and cancellations.”

(Image: Getty Images)

07:48KEY EVENT

Man in 'precarious position' detained by police

A man who was in a ‘precarious position’ near to the station has been detained by police, British transport Police (BTP) has said.

A man has been detained by officers after he was in a precarious position near East Croydon station.